Dubai Hub

Some incredible footage from Dubai yesterday is helping raise awareness of the plight of endangered birds, NBC News reports:

The bird's-eye view was recorded when Darshan the eagle flew from the top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, swooping 2,722 feet down to his trainer on the ground. It was the highest recorded bird flight from a man-made structure ever, and was broadcast live on BBC News.

Darshan was equipped with a tiny Sony Action Cam Mini for his big expedition. The flight was organized by the Freedom Conservation group to raise awareness for endangered birds of prey and encourage conservation; in the past, the group has recorded eagles taking off from landmarks across Europe, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Darshan has been trained by falconer Jacques-Olivier Travers from a breeding facility in Thonon, France.

After guiding the bird down he described the flight "as perfect."

Freedom Conservation hope that the flight will be a symbol that humans and nature can live together.

"This eagle is a signal that things can change. It was once endangered, but after conservation programmes it is not so endangered," the Director of Freedom Conservation Ronald Menzel told the BBC, which was given exclusive access to the live video stream.

This almost spooky noise occurred for a few minutes during the strongest winds. As much as people like to think large skyscrapers rock back and forth a lot and make you sea sick - you actually couldn't feel a thing. Only this calm peaceful noise of the tower handling the winds.

A 28-year-old British male teacher, identified only by his initials PA, admitted to having consensual gay sex with MB, a 40-year-old man from the Seychelles, next to a petrol station in February 2011.

The pair were said to have been drunk after a birthday celebration for one of them after which they stopped by a tree next to the petrol station for sex.A man parked behind the petrol station witnessed the two men and reported them to police....During a court hearing in March this year (2012) they both admitted to having consensual sex and consuming alcohol. Each was sentenced to three years in jail and both will be deported after serving their prison terms.

On a related note, two Bangladeshi men were sentenced to six months in jail and deportation after having sex in a public bathroom. In case you didn't figure it out, same-sex sex is prohibited in Dubai.